Former UW defensive tackle among 5 tryout players signed by Seahawks
May 9, 2016, 4:48 PM | Updated: 4:54 pm
The Seahawks signed Taniela Tupou Monday after the former UW defensive lineman worked as a fullback in rookie minicamp. (AP)
(AP)
The Seahawks did some shuffling to their 90-man roster Monday by signing five tryout players who participated in last weekend’s rookie minicamp.
Seattle signed cornerback Jamal Marshall, linebacker Pete Robertson, fullback Taniela Tupou, tight end Ronnie Shields and receiver Tyler Slavin. To make room for the rookies, Seattle released defensive tackle A.J. Francis, defensive tackle Lars Koht and safety Robert Smith, and waived injured cornerback Mohammed Seisay and receiver Jeff Fuller.
Francis recorded one tackle in two games for Seattle last season after being claimed off waivers from Miami in November. Seattle traded a sixth-round pick for Seisay last preseason, but the 25-year-old hurt his groin during the first exhibition game and spent the season on injured reserve.
Tupou, a Marysville native, played defensive tackle for the University of Washington but also worked at fullback during the recent rookie minicamp. Seahawks occasionally used fullback Will Tukuafu at defensive tackle last season, and one of this year’s undrafted free agent signings, Florida International’s Brandin Bryant, is listed as both a fullback and defensive tackle, having played defense in college.
The Seahawks did not offer a contract to ex-Oregon and Eastern Washington quarterback Vernon Adams, who also tried out at the rookie minicamp.
